Spooner Man Charged With Theft of Ammunition from Civic Center Gun Show

Ben Dryden

Monday, May 7, 2018 | Updated May 08, 2018 7:54 am CDT

Charges have been filed in Washburn County Circuit Court against a Spooner, WI man for allegedly stealing multiple boxes of ammunition (each one containing 50 rounds) from the gun show that was recently held at the Civic Center in Spooner, WI.

Dean Babin is facing charges of not only the Misdemeanor Theft of the ammunition, but also charges of Class G Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Felon for allegedly handling multiple firearms at the gun show, along with charges of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class I Felony Possession of THC (Marijuana) - 2nd and Subsequent Offense, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Resisting an Officer. All of the charges filed against Babin have a penalty enhancer attached for being a repeat offender, having been previously convicted for Felony Possession of Methamphetamine.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Babin, the Spooner Police Department responded to a reported theft from a vendor at the gun show which was held on April 20th and 21st, 2018. When an Officer spoke to the victims of the theft, they stated that a man exhibiting strange behavior and making unusual statements had been at their booth on April 20, expressing interest in the .38 handgun ammunition that they had for sale. He also was handling the knives which they had for sale, and even attempted to kiss one of them.

The victims went on to tell the Officer that on April 20, they had the understanding that they needed to close their booth at 8p; so they did, covering their items with blankets. Other vendors thought that 9p was closing time, and kept their booths open.

When the victims returned on April 21 and uncovered their items, they immediately noticed that 6 boxes of .38 ammunition were missing - each box containing 50 rounds. At that time, a call was made for police assistance.

After taking statements from numerous other vendors who also described similar erratic behavior, and stated that the individual had also been handling firearms and pointing them at the ceiling, the Officer determined that the individual being described was Babin, who had been at the Spooner Police Department on April 20, also displaying erratic behavior while there, including kissing the glass.

The criminal complaint goes on to state that a short time later, Babin was located and interviewed at the Shell Lake Police Department. Babin allegedly stated that he thought he paid for the ammunition. When Babin opened one of his vehicle doors, the Officer saw two boxes of ammunition on the floor of the vehicle. The boxes matched what was being sold by the vendor at the gun show.

Although the criminal complaint states that the other boxes of ammunition were not located, during a search of Babin and his vehicle, officers found marijuana and pipes for smoking controlled substances, including one pipe which contained a white substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Babin was placed under arrest and according to online circuit court records, he appeared for a bail bond hearing on April 23. The Court placed Babin on a cash bail bond and he is scheduled to have an Initial Appearance on his charges in May.

Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.